Eleven-year-old Thomas Hossack from Trentham wins Sentinel Create-a-Wrights-Pie competition
YOUNG Stoke City fan Thomas Hossack is celebrating after winning The Sentinel's Create a Pie competition.
The 11-year-old, of Parkway, Trentham, was one of seven finalists shortlisted from more than 400 entrants who designed a recipe for a new Wrights pie.
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CHAMP: Thomas Hassock. Picture: Alex Severn
The Newcastle-under-Lyme School pupil says he had the 'surprise of his life' on Saturday when he was revealed as the winner at Wrights' Hanley branch.
Thomas received a cheque for £500 and an engraved trophy. His winning Potter's Pie will now go on sale at Wrights shops across the region.
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The Potter's Pie contains pork sausage, mashed potato and onion gravy. It will be made at Wrights' Pies headquarters in Crewe and will hit the shelves in the coming months.
Thomas said: "When I entered, I thought I might have a chance of winning but I never thought I would actually do it! So I'm surprised – but really happy too."
Thomas created his own Wrights Pie after his grandmother read about the contest in the pages of The Sentinel.
He said: "I have never entered a competition before but she encouraged me to think of a recipe.
"I thought it was a good idea because I like cooking – and sausage and mash is one of my favourite meals.
"I don't know what I'm going to do with my money yet, although I might share a bit with my brother and sister.
"When the pie is made I'm going to get all of my friends to come in and buy it!"
Mum Alison, a 38-year-old housewife, added: "I told Thomas we were nipping into Hanley on Saturday to go to the bank because I didn't want him to get excited.
"We didn't know he had actually won until we turned up at Wrights on the day.
"I was keeping my fingers crossed for him though. It was lovely to see his face light up when he saw the trophy.
"The first thing he did was get on the phone and text all his friends.
"He is really looking forward to the pies being sold in the shops."
Sentinel readers were challenged to create a unique filling for a new range of Wrights pies.
The most-popular category of entries was vegetarian-based with 50 suggestions, followed by 39 sausage-themed fillings and 37 made with chicken.
A panel of judges shortlisted their seven favourite recipes – and Thomas won after receiving the most readers' votes.
Proceeds from the sales of the Potter's Pie will be donated to charity.
Alison Harding, retail operations director at Wrights, said: "The Potter's Pie was a personal favourite of mine and we are looking forward to it being produced."
The Editor-in-Chief of The Sentinel Mike Sassi added: "We were completely overwhelmed by the astonishing standard of the competition entries. People quite obviously love their Wrights pies.
"Thomas's pie was very impressive. And we're particularly glad that our winner should be such a thoughtful and considerate young man."
3 Comments
by FFDP1
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 6:20AM
“Darren, the lads 12 year old, is your remark called for.
I'd make the topping out of mash other then use it as a filling, I've done a Sausage, Mash and Onion Gravy pie for years.”
by Darren1810
Monday, March 18 2013, 4:57PM
“how apt for a Stoke supporter to create the winning pie, will go down a treat with the lardies on the boothen end,, tuck in gutsos”
by Martty
Monday, March 18 2013, 8:57AM
“Well done Thomas, the simplest of idea's always are the best. The Potters Pie, Sausage & Mash, Onion gravy, sounds delicious, I look forward to trying one at the match.”